I think I’ve narrowed down my choices to these to schools. I like them both but would love to get some feedback for why one may be better than the other.
I’m planning on majoring in Mech. Engineering. Was accepted to pre-engineering at UW and FYE (First Year Engineering) at Purdue. To my understanding, UW is much more competitive when trying to get into an engineering major after 1st or 2nd year so that’s a con.
Both schools have about the same number of undergrads but UW has much larger class sizes.
UW is in-state tuition while Purdue is a crazy 45k (which I can afford, but it’s still quite expensive).
Seattle is obviously a better city than West Lafayette.
Purdue may be more of a “college experience” since there’s less commuters and the community is stronger (from what I’ve heard).
“Seattle is obviously a better city than West Lafayette”
money aside which is important(really important)
if money does not matter to you…I would choose purdue in a heart beat. you are going to college for the school not the city. west lafayette has a college town feel and purdue would make for an awesome 4 years. go to seattle when you are older and 4 years more mature for graduate school or looking for your first post grad job! (IMO)
I would choose UW. This shouldn’t be a factor, but Purdue has been the school that some people go to after getting rejected from UW instate. Community can be strong at UW, if you can find a group (there are tons) to find your fit in. Academically, UW is above Purdue in many aspects, in rankings, research, funding, etc.
If the $45K is for a school like MIT, then yeah choose that over UW’s instate tuition. However, Purdue, while a great engineering school, doesn’t have enough going for it to justify its costs. Yes, engineering is competitive at UW, but probably also at Purdue. You know what you need to do: work hard.
Do you have admission to any other school where you are in your major, or where getting into your major is not difficult?
If you do attend either school, and your GPA after a few semesters looks like you will be “weeded out”[1], you may want to prepare transfer applications to other less selective schools where you will be able to study your major (e.g. WSU, South Dakota Mines and State, etc.).
[1] Though the GPA where you have a good chance of getting into your major is likely higher at Washington than at Purdue.
Love Purdue but in your shoes I’d go with UW.
I’ve been admitted to five other great schools but I’ve crossed them off my list since they’re either too small or/and have an inferior engineering program. UBC is another I’m interested in but am unsure about programs’ strengths.
Your other posts indicate direct admission to your major and a low net price after big scholarship at Gonzaga. Seems like those aspects should make Gonzaga one of your top choices.